What do the laws of descent control regarding a decedent's estate?

The laws of descent specifically address how a decedent's estate is to be distributed among heirs when there is no will in place, commonly referred to as intestacy laws. These laws establish a hierarchy of beneficiaries, outlining who inherits the assets of the deceased, typically prioritizing close relatives such as spouses, children, and parents. This legal framework ensures that the estate is allocated fairly according to the state’s rules, providing guidance on inheritance in the absence of explicit directives from the decedent.

Options relating to the distribution of an estate when a will exists or to topics like estate planning and the duties of an executor are not aligned with the focus of descent laws. Instead, those aspects would pertain to estate administration and management according to the decedent's wishes as articulated in a will. Thus, the correct answer precisely captures the essence of what the laws of descent control.